Over Half Way There...

I am now 23 weeks in to ultimately what is supposed to be a 40 week process. They count months differently with pregnancy, so I think I am technically 5 months now, and although, most of us would think that next week I would be 6 months, I think that happens at about 27 weeks...I think.

Again, I can only be thankful and praise God for having such a healthy pregnancy so far. This past month our baby girl...yes that is right, baby girl...started moving around a lot. Most of the month she has moved in a way that no one else may be able to feel her from the outside, but lately the movement has gotten much stronger. Aaron was able to feel a kick, or punch, or stretch or something last week. That was really nice to share with him.

It is probably because I have been pregnant before, but this time seems to be going so fast. It just hit me recently that I am over half way there, and I started to think, am I really ready for this? I guess ready or not, she is coming. It is not that we are not ready, I guess, as much as we are so busy with Riley, I have not thought as far ahead as maybe I did when I was pregnant with Riley. I have heard and been told that that is pretty normal. We tend to over think things our first time out, but the second time around, as long as there are no severe problems, you just go on with your life as normal and one day you have another baby living with you.

I think that is true to some extent. The nice thing is that I knew absolutely nothing about caring for a baby when Riley was born; so I was pretty nervous, and often times intimidated by a particular task or two. By no means do I think I know everything now, but I am more comfortable about the whole "trust my own instinct" thing. I guess I also feel a bit more educated and experienced than the first time around.

So, yes everybody, we are having a baby girl! We did find out, and although being surprised may have been nice, it is also very special to know who this little person is inside you growing. Riley knows that she is going to have a baby sister soon...although to what extent she understands, we are not sure. I think she knows that she is getting a baby soon, I am just not sure if she understand sister vs. brother. Her friend Logan got a baby this past year & his was a baby brother; our nephew Christian also got a sibling this year and his was a sister...so maybe she will understand more than we even know. Riley does love babies though. She loves holding them, kissing them, sh..sh..ing them, giving them their pacifier, etc. She already gives the baby kisses at night and tells her that she loves her. Tonight she even sang Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to her. She will make a great big sister and hopefully will be a great help to Mommy and Daddy too. :-)